Common Septic System Maintenance Mistakes

March 18, 2021 Published by Leave your thoughts

Are you having issues with your septic system in Cleveland, TX? It could be due to making some of these common septic system maintenance mistakes. Your septic system is its own delicate ecosystem, and if you disrupt that system, chaos ensues. You might have to pump your septic tank more often, or you may notice clogs, backflow and other issues.

Here are some of the most common septic system maintenance mistakes, and how to avoid them in the future:

  • Flushing the wrong things down the toilet: Most people are surprised to learn that certain items marked “flushable,” like baby wipes, kitty litter and feminine hygiene products, aren’t actually okay to flush down the toilet. That goes double if you have a septic system. The only things you should flush down the toilet are human waste and toilet paper. Items marked “flushable” simply mean that they’re biodegradable, not that they’re safe for your pipes and septic tank. Thick wipes or cotton products won’t break down the same way toilet paper does, so you’re more likely to experience septic system issues in Cleveland, TX, such as clogs and a tank that fills up far too quickly.
  • Using harsh household cleaners: Septic tanks depend on bacteria to “digest” the waste and clean the wastewater. If you use harsh household cleaners like ammonia or bleach, you’ll kill that helpful bacteria. As a result, your septic tank will fill up faster and won’t clean the water before sending it back into the groundwater system. That’s a health hazard as well as an inconvenience, so be sure to use environmentally-friendly cleaners.
  • Garbage disposal overuse: Don’t use your garbage disposal as a dumping ground. The vast majority of your food waste should go in a garbage can, not down the drain. Use the garbage disposal to grind up small bits of food that made their way down the drain accidentally. Otherwise, you’ll contribute to a rapidly-filling septic tank.
  • Driving over the tank or drain field: Never drive over your drain field or the area where the septic tank is buried. This can harm the components buried underground, and may track wastewater through the rest of your yard. If you don’t know where your septic tank is located, get out your homeownership and septic tank paperwork. Then mark off that area and remind your family not to use it as a parking lot or playground.
  • Failing to pump your tank: If you don’t pump your tank every three to five years, or as needed, you’ll experience everything from sewage backing up your drains to a leaking septic tank. Set a regular pumping schedule to avoid this problem.
  • Ignoring problems when they pop up: Finally, make sure you pay attention to your septic tank. If you notice signs of problems, call a septic system contractor right away.

For help fixing or avoiding these septic tank mistakes in Cleveland, TX, call Cleveland Septic today. Our team will come out to solve your septic problems. Our third-generation company knows exactly what to do in any septic situation.

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